New telecom licenses to be issued as per existing policy: Raja
Govt has constituted a GoM on vacation of spectrum and raising resources for the purpose under the chairmanship of Pranab Mukherjee. Top ten video games
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Putting at rest the controversy over issuance of new telecom licenses on 575 applications, the government on Monday said in the Lok Sabha that these would be issued as per the existing policy which does not put any restriction on the number of operators.
"We are going to issue new licenses as per the new policy framed in 2003 by the Group of Ministers (GoM) which stated that Unified Access Service (UAS) licenses will be given without any restriction," Telecom Minister A Raja said replying to a query.
Raja's remarks assume significance as the lobby of GSM operators, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), had recently opposed government's plan to issue new licences without guarantee of spectrum availability.
The Minister said the National Telecom Policy of 1999 had the clause that without ensuring spectrum availability new licenses should not be issued.
But, the new policy in 2003 does not put any restriction on the number of licenses or spectrum availability, he said.
This would help 46 applicants who have put in 575 applications for UAS licenses to get the licenses and spectrum as and when made available.
Raja has been maintaining that there still exists potential to bring down mobile tariffs by up to 50 per cent if more players were allowed to start services.
To another query, the Minister categorically said the government has not constituted any GoM to finalise a new spectrum policy.
"However, a GoM has been constituted on vacation of spectrum and raising resources for the purpose under the chairmanship of External Affairs Minister."
"We are going to issue new licenses as per the new policy framed in 2003 by the Group of Ministers (GoM) which stated that Unified Access Service (UAS) licenses will be given without any restriction," Telecom Minister A Raja said replying to a query.
Raja's remarks assume significance as the lobby of GSM operators, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), had recently opposed government's plan to issue new licences without guarantee of spectrum availability.
The Minister said the National Telecom Policy of 1999 had the clause that without ensuring spectrum availability new licenses should not be issued.
But, the new policy in 2003 does not put any restriction on the number of licenses or spectrum availability, he said.
This would help 46 applicants who have put in 575 applications for UAS licenses to get the licenses and spectrum as and when made available.
ADVERTISEMENT
Raja has been maintaining that there still exists potential to bring down mobile tariffs by up to 50 per cent if more players were allowed to start services.
To another query, the Minister categorically said the government has not constituted any GoM to finalise a new spectrum policy.
"However, a GoM has been constituted on vacation of spectrum and raising resources for the purpose under the chairmanship of External Affairs Minister."
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
